Paranormal, the unexplained, things going bump in the night...what does it all really mean? At a young age, my little body was caught in mid-air by unseen hands only to land safely on the hard floor. This floor was part of a house in Badasse, Austria in which my family purchased it for the summer’s. It...was haunted. Stories told by my Parisian grandmother who has the sight as so did her sister, was always being sat down upon when sleeping at night. Whether she’d be visiting her dear, departed close friend, Chef Pierre Frane in his Hampton's home or elsewhere...’they’ always seem to sit by her for awhile. The chef’s mother, Betty, was a close Parisian friend of my grandmother’s who was the one doing the sitting. I remember visiting there once. During our first night there, my grandmother told me of the time she awoke in the middle of the night only to feel the presence of something or someone in the room with her. Her eyes opened but her body did not twitch for fear of the unknown. Spiritual she was and still is, but fear is a different entity forming from the sub-conscience that us humans carry to different degrees of tolerance. Laymens terms..she was scared! Immediately turning on the side table’s lamp, felt the impression leave. The light would remain on until dawn. That would be one of my longest nights staying awake in that house. What does this mean to the believer, the skeptic and all those in-between? For the believer, it is possibly goose bumps knowing of others experiences with invisible forces. The fascination of what happens when we cross over. For the skeptic, possibly more material to push off and dismiss as more rubbish. The ability to rationalize what he or she cannot prove or disprove in some cases. That too, is a type of fear but going in the opposite direction of the believer. This fear of the unknown existing can be scary due to the sole fact that when we try and fail to scientifically explain the cause, we throw it up in the air and walk away while it has to land somewhere. Just not in the skeptic’s path! As for the in-betweens sitting off and on the fence, it could be only if they are to experience a cold hand reaching out to touch their shoulder or hear a noise where none should be heard.

Getting a feeling that your not alone and shutting down all five senses going into panic mode. It’s all relevant to the individual, their experience or there lack of, their beliefs and faith and changing in time as they grow as people. I know people who have sat on that fence, only to flip over when something occurred. What does it all really mean? To each of us, something similar, different or half and half. Whichever way one goes in this arena, I do believe we are all surrounded everyday by unseen guides waiting for us to stop and listen. Perhaps then, some of us may hear what they have to say in hopes of paving a better path ahead for us in need. These are the spirits that connect with every person on earth as they are assigned to our individual cases. In any case, it is all positive thought and belief which in turn, bodes well for a healthier society in which to raise our families in and use our time we have left on earth, fruitfully. Always be well. --Alexandra Holzer

The Dead Versus The Living

Now that we have been formally introduced I can get right down to business. The business of the paranormal meeting up with us. At one point in time you may run into someone with a ghost story. They tell it to you like it is the first time. Perhaps it is as this topic is rather few and far between the lips of some human beings. It's almost as if you may have cooties by saying the word 'ghost' and 'I saw' in the same sentence. The more people I encounter doing filming, writing and thread board conversations are teaching me that the paranormal is quite normal. The opposite of what you would think when meeting complete strangers. Most of us hold back when inside we might be bursting at the seams to ask if they too, believe. This is good news. Maybe some of you ask what can the paranormal field do for you? Maybe some already know while others are new on the scene. Whatever effect it's meaning has on the individual will lead to a positive. I have my belief on it as well. Take a case of sadness. It's ok to feel sad and so perhaps you've had a tough life. Here's where your faith, belief systems, patience, perseverance, experiences and anything else you can throw in are tested. This is the time for those in need to turn towards the paranormal guides and ask for help. Some wonder is it silly to ask out loud for guidance? While others ponder and quietly whisper a few words under their breath washing their hands at dinner time. Whatever twirls your beanie as long as you try the ridiculous. It can be the ridiculous that may save the day. You need to carve out a new path in which you can change the course of your destiny. Envision what you need and desire for yourself and go there. Even if it seems silly at the time. So what I say. Silly or not, if you don't envision ahead you'll never know and be stuck in a rut that is negative. Anything positive is better then a negative. It just is. Pretty soon you maybe attracting good things in a span of time and you suddenly find yourself scratching your head. How did I get here? Fate, destiny, paths connecting to the right people and timing? Yes to all and then some. Don't forget to thank your paranormal friends, family and guides on the other side as well. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain if you just try and put it out there. Once you decide to get to that point a vortex of possibilities could open up a new path for you. Age, time and the past does not equate if your not content. Try not to hone in on drowning endless situations. Trust the guides who we each are assigned to and let it go. It may not be overnight nor perhaps the next few months but within a decent amount of time you will be in a far better place. For those already there you know what I speak of. For those in between your doing a great justice to your soul and those around you who love you. Nothing is perfect even for the rich and famous. At the end of the day we are all cut from the same cloth as human beings minus the bad folks out there. They are from a different world entirely and that's another topic to discuss. For this month I only hope to find more people in connecting to share their paranormal experiences seeing their faces light up when mentioning ghosts, spirits and odd occurrences. I am currently preparing to work with an educator from Rutgers College in New Jersey. We are to story tell a series of tales to our youth in a positive way explaining about what choices to make and not make. The facts about life and death will be expressed to prevent them from ending up on the wrong side before their time. Otherwise we will have too many poltergeists about creating havoc. Positive...positive...positive. Always be well-Alexandra Holzer

Ghostly Nighttime Visitor

Does life exist beyond the physical realms that we are accustomed to? Is it possible that perhaps another superimposed world lay on top of our concrete world? The following story occurred to me when I was a youngster in our upper west side apartment. This would be the more active of paranormal times in my life until the more recent occurrences. One late school night as time was of the essence, sleep wouldn't come for me. As I tossed and turned trying to find a restful place in my mind I couldn't shake the feeling that something or someone was watching me. At my young age I feared many things as well as challenged other things. But this was an entirely different feeling all together. Having collectable items in my room as most children have began to take on a life of it's own. Suddenly, a coin can began to rattle then shake uncontrollably. Without looking I knew exactly what was making that noise. I buried myself under the covers hoping that whatever it was would just go away. But it only worsened. Had my father brought something home that evening while out and about on a paranormal investigation? Thoughts rang rampid though my tiny mind. In the midst of all my erratic thinking, my body suddenly become frozen. I couldn't move and each breath I took was as silent as could be. I began to feel an impression of hands slowly gliding over my entire being almost as if Iwas a can of beans scanned at the grocery store. The strange thing was as frightened as I should have felt at that exact moment, was not in fear at all. I wanted it to desperately leave but I knew I had to wait it out whatever it was . When the impression faded away I was still buried beneath my seven layers of covers. Thank goodness it was winter as I had much protection hiding at that moment. If it were summer I'd be between a thin layer of a sheet and that ghost! I surmised it to be a ghost moving about my home. I didn't feel it meant any harm to me but rather curious as to who I was. In my family the ghost business was taken very seriously and perhaps this one ghost felt to accompany my father back home just because it could. The room's temperature was uncommonly frigid until the impression left my body. What seemed like hours upon hours was only a few until light poured into my room. I pulled back the covers and a sigh of relief escaped my lips. I cased my room slowly looking at everything to see if anything had moved or was still there watching me. When I looked up at the coin can, it wasn't there. Frantically I got up and looked on the side of the bookcase which held it and it was laying on the floor. I knew then that there was an entity visiting my room earlier that evening and only could hope it was not going to re-join me again for the next night. As I knew I wouldn't get hurt I still was afraid because what I could not see was that of what I feared most. The unknown was too close too home. I learned to accept my fated path with ghosts but as a child saw them differently as they knew who I was but I didn't always know who they were. That's the way it went unless you had a medium to get names and information which I didn't. Even though Hans had a wealth of famed mediums traipsing in and out of that apartment, I would have never thought at that time to even speak about this topic. Had I known then a bit more as I do now I would have mustered up the courage to ask more questions. So, I chalked it up to a night that I would hope would not occur again for at least fifty years.-Always be well- Alexandra Holzer

Ghosts, Ghosts and More Ghosts

A wise seasoned parapsychologist use to say, 'some of my best friends are ghosts!' 'Really?" I thought to myself. That is quite a statement and one showing bravery and understanding of the unknown. To have come to the point in one's investigative and curious life to feel that way, must have a hidden meaning underneath.

Perhaps this individual as many others may also feel that sometimes ghosts are better to hang around then some humans. I wouldn't doubt it as I wouldn't doubt anything in the occult and paranormal. Oh there are topics I snicker at because that's my opinion, but on the whole I don't joke about the dead and beyond. I don't joke about what happens when we pass also known as crossing over.

I believe Jon Edwards really coined that term when his show was picked up. Something magical happens when the soul detaches from the body and whisks off into an invisible realm where it can eventually go back and forth between Earth and the Afterlife world. Those are spirits who were lucky enough to peacefully leave their once human existence to go on and continue another way of living. However, for those trapped by terrible causes of death, causes whether they created or was put onto them without warning or hope of survival, become the walking dead.

These pour souls are the ghosts I speak of. Society is very wrapped up in the notion of 'well, if you can't see it then it doesn't exist!' Just like if we don't look at the car accident as were driving by, it didn't happen and there will not be a terrible impression made upon us. Unfortunately life does not work that way. You have to look at some point and you may not like what you see. How an individual processes a difficult situation depends and everyone has to do it their own way. So, when one comes across a ghost or a haunting which always leads to a ghost, there are many questions and openings to be explained and answered.

Paranormal investigators are also called PI's, parapsychologists, scientists, ghost hunters, ghost chasers call them what you will, all aim for the same goal. They are all after the same thing...ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts. With todays' technology in the ghost hunting business, it certainly has paved an easier path for those forming their own societies, groups and organizations to document real material of the existence of ghosts. This material coming in the form of EVP's, Filming, Motion Detectors, Temperature Readings and Digital anything. But, the one thing that any ghost hunter and medium will come across, is something that no piece of equipment could ever pick up on.

That sensation, feeling and uneasiness that something or someone is in that room with you. A dense space of cold thick air surrounds your entire being and you can't breath. You can't move and you don't know how to react. Somehow your thankful your not alone on your hunting because this feeling regardless of your experience and gadgets, is very personal and can be very dangerous. There are evils that do exist as well as good. When you purposely walk into an environment where you know there is an entity waiting, perhaps more then one, be prepared to feel.

Brace yourself as this ghost was once of the living. Knowing what it was like to be a person and now stuck between their old world and a place where they can't call home. Some ghosts just don't want to go and therefore will roam the Earth forever never at peace. Some ghosts are not ghosts at all and the evil that I speak of. And some ghosts are happy to move along with your assistance, as they were waiting for your arrival to release them.

Can you begin to imagine what these lost souls must even experience? Stop for a moment with all the investigative research and think, is it possible they feel but differently then when once alive? There's anger when you hear some EVP recordings as there is kindness in messages in EVP recordings. Based on that theory, I would have to lean in the direction of yes, they feel. So, going on that then imagine what torture it must be like to linger confused, disoriented and stuck in a rut.

For those ghosts that experience this, they are the saddest ones of all. For the evil that purposely wants to stay in our environment, they must go for no good can come of their roaming about. Ghosts are what I feel most of us do not want to become when we cross over. But, we can't be in charge of our destiny's in the 'how to die well department,' unless we bring that on ourselves. And even then, I feel that was predestined as well.

If you believe there is a God or a higher source at work, then you'll understand we have free will and accept that we accept our fated paths. That is why it is crucial to live each and every day to the fullest and be kind to your family, friends, children, pets and communities'. Let the person in-front of you pass while driving to the store. Don't be pushy in line and wait your turn, even if the person ahead of you maybe 1000 years old. You'll get there eventually. We all get there eventually, it just depends on what is meant to be for each of us. And I hope none of you including myself become ghosts, trapped here bidding a time which ticks and tocks forever. Always be well-Alexandra Holzer

The Three P's: Portals-Past-Present

Transgression and past lives may mix in with current lives going about their day to day affairs. The after life is one thing, but deja vu and that feeling one gets of familiarity, is quite often disturbing at times. I do believe because we have lived many lives, that there are those tapping into the past. Dr. Holzer and many others use to do this with hypnotherapy, but I feel unless personally experienced, it is hard to convince others that we have been here before! And, that's ok.

I truly believe we are inter-connected with our past. I do feel if we have visited a place, that it can become a part of our subconscious, but there's a reason for it. For myself, I'd like to believe a hidden message or meaning. I always equate it to going 'back' to search deeper until we pass. Some may never know this information, but after reading Casey's book on the Akashic files, explaining that life files are stored for us, made me think a bit more on the topic of our past lives. Is there more to this then meets the eye?

Portals, in fiction is a magical or technological doorway that connects two distant locations.

Portals are a common concept in sci-fi and fantasy fiction. Either you must step through the frames of an object (a mirror, a gateway etc.) which serves as a portal or, when they stand alone, the portal will commonly appear in the form of a vortex of energy. Energy is linked to any ghost or spirit thus leading you down the path of orb phenomena and all the others following suit. All to confuse you of coarse! A less common portal form is what is called the Portkey, and is simply used when it is touched, whisking the person off to the place the Portkey was linked to. I wonder where it's link was hooked up to in order to create that effect?

Almost like the hose and nozzle at your local gas station. You know where it begins, where it fits and where it remains once your done using it. But, does a vortex remain open or can it close? I'd imagine they are mobile and move about as anything in the Universe can't stay still or remain the same. Life is in constant motion as we are on the back of it's short ride, until we have to get off for the next crew to take a spin and continue on.

Perhaps answering the question, it is said that a portal will link to a different spot in the same world (in which case it might be an alternative for teleportation); a parallel world (inter-dimensional portal); the past or the future (time portal); and other planes of existence, like heaven, hell or other afterworlds. Now, what if you don't believe in an after world or another world other then the one you currently reside in? That's ok because this is based on past experiences, theories and science and so, nonetheless very informative information. I find it exciting to learn about the what ifs and could it really be thought process. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of imagination and belief into the unknown! Portals are similar to the cosmological concept of a wormhole. Very neat indeed! This branches into out of body experiences in which we leave our body still connected by a thin, thin cord that will link us back to our body when done traveling. For me, I equate to an almost unconscious like bungy jumping event!

On reincarnation, literally meaning "to be made flesh again", is a belief that some essential part of a living being (in some ways only human beings) survives death to be reborn into a new body. This is referred to as the Spirit or Soul, the 'Higher or True Self', 'Divine Spark', 'I' or the 'Ego' (not to confuse you with the ego definition by psychology terms.) According to these beliefs, a new soul begins again for each life in the physical world, but some part of the being remains constantly present throughout these successive lives. Is it possible that our past portals are our doorways to reincarnations? Is this the bus we get on when it's time to hit the next stop?

Belief in reincarnation is an ancient phenomenon. However, we have adapted it into our society as there are many good reads on the subject itself. It is just as fascinating as a ghosts only more so, by ways of thinking that we could recycle ourselves like a can of Coca Cola! The majority who believe come from, Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism (including Yoga, Vaishnavism, and Shaivism), Jainism, Sikhism, Ancient Greek philosophers and many modern Pagans. Some New Age movements, along with followers of Spiritism, practitioners of certain African traditions, and students of esoteric philosophies such as Kabbalah, Sufism and Gnostic and Esoteric Christianity, also believe. I am out of breath just naming the list. The concept of Rebirth (reincarnation) comes from the Buddhist. New Age movements feel there is no "self" (or eternal soul) to reincarnate. As you can see, every culture has it's way in describing their thoughts and beliefs on this one topic.

During recent decades, a significant minority of people in the West have developed a belief in reincarnation. It shows from the entertainment industry to contemporary books, as well as popular songs, regularly mentioning reincarnation, coming back or I have been here before. Some researchers, such as Professor Ian Stevenson and Dr. Hans Holzer Ph.D, have explored the issue of reincarnation and published suggestive evidence. Some skeptics are critical of their work and others say that more reincarnation research is needed. For all we know, there's a UFO specials portal station, lingering about space with some alien named Henry in charge of it all!

Like reincarnation, there is pre-incarnation, which is the belief of reborn in a new body. Oppose the reborn with former personality, pre-incarnation is the reborn with future life's new soul. Futurist visionaries are the examples of pre-incarnational thought. I feel this could be my actual generation of Thirty somethings. The belief in reincarnation was probably commonplace among the Vikings, since the annotator of the Poetic Edda wrote that people used to believe in it, but that it was in his (Christian) time considered "old wife's folly."

In a fairly typical case, I quote a true story to show one example. "A boy in Beirut spoke of being a 25-year-old mechanic, thrown to his death from a speeding car on a beach road. According to multiple witnesses, the boy provided the name of the driver, the exact location of the crash, the names of the mechanic's sisters and parents and cousins, and the people he went hunting with - all of which turned out to match the life of a man who had died several years before the boy was born, and who had no apparent connection to the boy's family."- Professor Stevenson.

It was felt that this strict method ruled out all possible "normal" explanations for the childs memories. However, it should be noted that a significant majority of Professor Stevenson's reported cases of reincarnation originate in Eastern societies, where dominant religions often permit the concept of reincarnation. Following this type of criticism, Stevenson published a book on European cases suggestive of reincarnation.

The most obvious objection to reincarnation is that there is no evidence of a physical process by which a personality could survive death, and travel to another body, and researchers such as Professor Stevenson and Dr. Hans Holzer from Life Beyond: Compelling Evidence for Past Lives and Existence After Death, recognize this. Another fundamental objection is that most people simply do not remember previous lives, although it could be argued that only some, but not all, people reincarnate. Again, we are left to our own devices whether or not we believe. If you experience it you do, if you believe simply based on past and present, then you do and if you don't believe in anything, not even Santa Claus, well shame on you! Having some sort of belief in anything that is not tangible, is based on feelings, emotions, and digging deep within yourself, is a good thing. Do we not have too many negatives in this world not to believe in something, regardless of prior experience or there lack of?

Some skeptics explain that claims of evidence for reincarnation originate from selective thinking and the psychological phenomena of false memories, that often result from one's own belief system and basic fears, and thus cannot be counted as empirical evidence. So, the need for more reincarnation research will always be at hand, as with any one stormy topic under the paranormal umbrella. Always be well-Alexandra Holzer.